Stealing Spree

Chapter 2359: Futabaʼs Conflict

Eri woke up right before the bus arrived at their stop. She straightened up, looking slightly embarrassed about falling asleep. Her hair got a little disheveled but it was easy to fix by combing it with my fingers. Although that gesture could be taken as intimate, the girl leaned into it, allowing me to take care of her before we stood up to leave.

Futaba didnʼt say anything. However, there was an unmistakable silent reprimand in her eyes when she saw me still acting so intimately with Eri. But she knew better than to make a scene now that weʼve arrived. After all, we would reach Eriʼs house soon. Furthermore, Eri also became conscious enough not to link arms with me after getting off the bus.

As we approached the house, Eriʼs eyes grew glossy with sleepiness and perhaps shame, but she pushed out a cheerful smile, ”Thank you for walking me home, Ruki. And for knocking some sense into me. Escort Futaba safely too!”

”Mhm. Leave it to me. Goodnight, Eri.” I said with a wink as she gave me a quick peck on the cheek before turning around to face her house. She probably had a lot on her mind but one thing didnʼt change even after the conversation we had; Eri was leaning more into our closeness despite knowing how wrong it could be taken.

It could be because she had this clear distinction between me and her boyfriend. Nevertheless, it was already so bad in a normal sense.

I didnʼt mind it that much since I was already living an abnormal life but for Eri, she should be more careful.

Well, better to let her think about it on her own. Itʼs not like she didnʼt understand the implication, sheʼs simply way too comfortable with the idea of getting close to me. I know itʼs my fault too but sheʼs a grown girl, she should be making the right decisions herself.

With Eri disappearing inside their house, I turned my attention back to Futaba as we resumed our walk to her house.

She was looking at me, her eyes a mix of emotions that I couldn’t quite place. Maybe it’s the awkwardness of the situation, or perhaps she’s feeling a bit jealous of Eri’s openness with me. She couldnʼt act like that, after all.

”How far are we from your house?” I asked.

”Not that far. Only two streets down. The first house right at the turn.” Futaba answered. She looked at me with a slightly forced smile, her eyes hinting at the turmoil of emotions beneath her calm demeanor.

Somehow, this girl was easier to read than Eri who would act playfully unserious at times.

”Alright. Iʼll have to make sure you arrive safely too, otherwise, Akane and Fuyu will scold me.”

”Itʼs not like our streets are dangerous. I couldʼve walked home by myself.” Futaba said, trying to play it cool but her voice betrayed the slight tremor of uncertainty.

”Come on. Youʼre a girl. And itʼs late at night. Even if there was only a small probability to get into an accident or encounter someone unreasonable, itʼs better this way.” I teased, trying to ease the tension between us.𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

”Y-youʼre right.”

”So, howʼs it going with you and your boyfriend?” Instead of waiting for her to bring it up, I decided to be direct. We only have until we reach her house, after all.

Futabaʼs eyes widened slightly before she nodded, ”Itʼs... itʼs fine. Just like with Eri, nothing changed. Also, we havenʼt been able to get private time recently so thereʼs nothing to really talk about.”

”I see. So, you havenʼt tested out what I told you back then?”

”No. Not yet. Will it really work?”

”Iʼm not sure. Honestly. Weʼll never know if you donʼt try.” I shrugged before momentarily stopping my steps to look at her.

Futaba gulped down as though she was ready to hear what I was about to say but at the same time, she was dreading that I might also tell her that she should communicate with her boyfriend first before trying out something other than tickling with me.

”Correct me if Iʼm wrong, Futaba. You still want to level up your intimacy with your boyfriend, right? I donʼt know if itʼs because of our influence or itʼs just because youʼve been together a long time already and you have yet to do something more than just a kiss. Whichever the case, is it going to cause a problem if it hasnʼt been resolved?”

Although I couldʼve been indirect with that question, it would just be too roundabout that I might not be able to hear her true thoughts from it. Thatʼs why I decided to be blunt.

Futabaʼs eyes trembled a little before she shamefully averted her gaze, ”I think it will cause a problem. If we continue like this... wonʼt it be unfair to him if we canʼt break past our situation?”

”Mhm. I get you. The physical aspect of being intimate with the one you love is just as important as the emotional aspect of it. It helps you validate your feelings and shows your partner how much you care.” I nodded, trying to put myself in her shoes. ”In our world, a relationship cannot survive in feelings of love alone. Or maybe it will be a rare case but everyone needs something more concrete, right?”

Futaba nodded slightly, her eyes still on the pavement.

”In any case, youʼre still young anyway. There are those who hold back until there wonʼt be complications and there are those who just couldnʼt resist. Both sides have their own reasons.” I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. ”Tell me, Futaba. Which side are you on?”

Futabaʼs cheeks grew redder by the second, ”I-Iʼm... Iʼm not sure.”

”Letʼs say hypothetically, wonʼt you be like us if your body doesnʼt react that way?” I continued probing.

I get it. I could just ask her if sheʼs conscious of me because of what happened but that wouldnʼt really root out her current situation. In fact, it might just make things more complicated for her. Thatʼs not an ideal scenario.

As Akaneʼs friend, theyʼd be too worried if this girl became too caught up in how she should feel rather than just directly confronting her concerns.

Futaba took a deep breath, then looked back at me, ”Yes... Maybe we wouldʼve done it that day.”

”You still love him, right? Just to make sure youʼre not getting confused.”

”... I do.”

”Be honest with me, Futaba.”

”What do you want me to say, Onoda-kun? That Iʼm having second thoughts?”

”No. Not like that. I just donʼt want you to regret or feel bad, especially when it comes to this kind of thing.”

Iʼm not trying to confuse her here but thinking about it, it might really lead her to that. But itʼs not like it wonʼt happen sooner or later. However, looking at her like this, I couldnʼt help but feel a bit guilty for planting the idea that her sensitivity might not flare up when it was me touching her. On top of that, my overly considerate nature swayed her more than I could think of.

”You and Eri had this same problem with your relationships but a different situation. You canʼt proceed to be more intimate because of your bodyʼs sensitivity, causing you pain while Eri and her boyfriend might be too immature for it. But in Eriʼs case, itʼs easy to see how sheʼs getting influenced by us. Or in other words, with the fact that Akane and I were so open about that topic.” I continued, trying to get into her head. ”But for you, itʼs different. You know what you want but your body wonʼt allow it.”

Futaba nodded slowly, ”Itʼs frustrating... I want to feel it too. To feel that same feeling again without the prickly pain...”

Hearing that, I couldnʼt help but pat her head. Of course, since I did make her feel that way just by touching and without triggering any pain, itʼs only natural for her to seek it.

The problem is... Iʼm not her boyfriend so here we are.